Regional monitoring group IGAD have blamed the SPLM-IO rebel group for carrying out an attack on Guit in Unity State on 13 September, which resulted in at least five soldiers killed and two civilians.
“SPLM/A(IO) Forces attacked Guit which was held by Government Forces causing both military and civilian casualties,” reads a report by the IGAD monitors released yesterday.
At least 5 government soldiers were killed, and two civilians, both women. “Government forces were pushed out of the town and withdrew several kilometers and called for reinforcements.”
“The SPLM/A-IO looted the town and then withdrew, taking a number of cattle with them. Following the arrival of reinforcements Government Forces reoccupied the town,” the monitors reported.
According to the monitoring group, this information was collected from government and community sources and also from an SPLA-IO commander who admitted to going to Guit but claimed they had been provoked into making the attack.”
The commander “said that he had moved to Guit from Biil, and this move was in itself a provocative act and in contravention of the Permanent Ceasefire.”
“The SPLM/A-IO Commander also admitted to the MVT [monitoring team] that he know of the Permanent Ceasefire and had received instructions not to take any offensive action.”
Meanwhile, IGAD has not said anything about reports of fighting in Leer County and Koch County last week.